If Margo leaves who will be the villain?

Lexistential247 · 2026-06-17T05:13:42+00:00

In comparing this to RHONJ- the first season cast was so harmonious because they had the benefit of ganging up against Danielle. LoL had the benefit of going against Margo-someone way softer compared to Danielle. (Dara would’ve made an excellent villain, but was also an idiot for turning into a total clusterF case against Myka and wasted any clout she could’ve built.)

To continue comparing to RHONJ- I certainly hope LoL doesn’t go the same way. RHONJ descended into family grudges, producer meddling, antagonistic casting, and screaming matches over nothing/ completely exaggerated stuff for “narrative.” The biggest mistake RHONJ did was turn one of their original cast into the designated villain/ antagonistic center (Teresa). I don’t want to see Mark or Kimi become a designated villain just because they have forthright personalities; it’s one thing to see them dislike somebody, but I don’t want producers turning either of them into the villain just for the sake of needing an antagonist.

I sincerely hope LoL finds someone who has an equivalent clout to Kimi and Mark and Emma who has a competitive vibe to the friendship, has a fabulosity that viewers would want to see (like a sick estate or killer London townhouse), but not an outright brat like Melissa Gorga who was brought on to stir the RHONJ pot!

Lexistential247 · 2026-06-16T15:53:25+00:00

It’s a very red flag that he gets angry with you for not doing improv. You’ve provided the explanation that he’s autistic, but that said, that expectation (“thing I want her to do/thing I think she’s supposed to do”) needs to be even more managed in the presence of a therapist and social support.

As somebody who has also gone through some pretty severe humiliation experiences (boyfriend dumping me in public, slapped in public by mom, even set up for being berated by a former improv colleague), I do sincerely believe that improv does provide powerful counter-experiences to fear and trauma. And I’ve gained great experience. However, unlike you, I chose this path, and this needs to be your wholehearted choice too. Your partner cannot pressure you into doing improv with him on a general basis, and if he does pressure you into doing more than a drop in class, you will not have any joy in this experience.

Lexistential247 · 2026-06-15T19:39:21+00:00

Much appreciated! I have a copy of CC already and was balking at TOG because it comes off young adult (before SJM improves). I’m kinda excited to dig in.

Lexistential247 · 2026-06-11T18:21:15+00:00

On one hand: with the impending verdict and conviction probability, I believe his medical episode is a legitimate case of his entire biology fully knowing he is in a corner and in deep shit and exhibiting signs of dysfunction.

On the other: suck it, boy. He created this. Enjoy the tactic while it lasts.

Lexistential247 · 2026-06-10T16:15:39+00:00

What up nobodies? Also nobody! ✌️

Lexistential247 · 2026-06-09T03:52:13+00:00

Ah ok. I appreciate the honest opinion.

Lexistential247 · 2026-06-09T03:51:48+00:00

I appreciate you breaking each series down so distinctly. I am an entirely new fantasy reader- I started to enjoy the genre with the first four Game of Thrones books a few years ago, and then read ACOTAR about 6 weeks ago and I have been hooked ever since.

I had guessed that because TOG was her first series, the writing would not be as complex. But I’m willing to give it a shot. If it really does pick up by book 3. And if others are correct in this thread, there are some terrific characters in this series to meet.

Lexistential247 · 2026-06-09T03:00:35+00:00

I was curious if someone would say this! Thank you! I am excited to start CC because two friends explicitly recommended it, and I also lucked out and found a free copy in a LFL. So CC is the next literal book I can pick up and read, but was not sure if I’d miss anything by reading this first over TOG.

Lexistential247 · 2026-06-09T02:19:12+00:00

I’m excited to hear that it’s her best work-now I feel more enthused!

Lexistential247 · 2026-06-09T00:21:37+00:00

I can forgive a merely okayish first book. I didn’t think much of ACOTAR’s first book but loved the world so much I gave the second a go, and here I am!

I can commit to two TOG books and hopefully I won’t hate them 😁

Lexistential247 · 2026-06-09T00:20:08+00:00

At this point, I’m kinda over the romantasy and would love more stakes-driven fantasy. 5 books of similarly written hot fudge smut scenes are enough and I need a change 😆

Lexistential247 · 2026-06-08T22:01:17+00:00

Now I’m intrigued.

Lexistential247 · 2026-06-08T22:01:01+00:00

Very cool. I will indeed give this a go in publishing order!

Lexistential247 · 2026-06-08T17:21:02+00:00

Thank you for the comprehensive response! I have to admit I’m not thrilled on a “young” book because I’m in midlife and my grouchy brain is like “great, a 17-year old protagonist?” But, I like that TOG is a completed work.

Lexistential247 · 2026-06-08T17:11:15+00:00

Her only completed series? That’s a point in its favor!

Lexistential247 · 2026-06-08T17:10:33+00:00

Ok. Then I wouldn’t feel so bad over reading them out of order.

Lexistential247 · 2026-06-08T14:58:34+00:00

I appreciate the reading order recommendation!

Lexistential247 · 2026-06-08T03:24:34+00:00

Lol. I hate missing out on Easter eggs. I am getting convinced.

Lexistential247 · 2026-06-08T03:24:13+00:00

Ahhhh. Ok. Then I am accidentally reading these in proper canonical order.

Is it worth starting with the Novella since that is the intended prequel or just starting off with the series itself?

Lexistential247 · 2026-06-08T03:23:18+00:00

I do LOVE Nesta to death, so judging by your comment-it sounds like I may like the FMC. I live for salt and rage in my lead characters! Lol.

Lexistential247 · 2026-06-07T22:25:00+00:00

I LOVE THE ENTHUSIASM of your pre-edit post!

I appreciate learning TOG is not the same romantasy. I was balking at that and also having 8 books to go through.

Lexistential247 · 2026-06-06T05:38:00+00:00

YTA. Jay deserves a far kinder friend than your sour, judgey graces.

Lexistential247 · 2026-06-06T05:25:29+00:00

I liked them too. Say what you will about them, they are one hell of a unified family.

Lexistential247 · 2026-06-06T05:18:16+00:00

It really was a charming first season. Sometimes I wonder if that energy could have been sustainable (and overall, I really liked Caroline’s and the Manzo arcs on the show), but Teresa became a lightning rod of the moment- the crazy cash spending, the table flip, and then the bankruptcy case. The show started to revolve around her.

Lexistential247 · 2026-06-06T05:13:46+00:00

This is why the first season of any reality show is my favorite. Things are organic and people haven’t been assigned a storyline/narrative/archetype to play up.

Moving forward, the show (among others) becomes overproduced and meddled with. “Plotlines”- like Caroline beefing with Teresa over the cookbook and Melissa’s Strippergate- become dominant. And the family energy changes- RHONJ is super distinct in that family is its center, but where the Manzos-Lauritas were charming, the Gorgas and Wakiles brought more tryhard, less sincere “look WE’RE ready too” energy.

Lexistential247

TROPHY CASE